Court Warns FCCPC Boss: Jail for Airtime Lending Defiance
Tobiloba OdejinmiNa Tobiloba Odejinmi
Elimu
6 Mei 2026 • 8:34 PM
4m4 min read
Chanzo: Pexels
Ufahamu wa Msingi
The Federal High Court in Lagos escalated a dispute over airtime lending regulation by issuing a contempt warning to FCCPC's Executive Vice Chairman Tunji Bello, threatening imprisonment for non-compliance with a prior injunction. WASPAN challenges FCCPC's authority under DEON Regulations 2025, arguing it oversteps into NCC territory. Hearing set for May 15, 2026, with broad implications for digital credit and mobile users.
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Mahakama Kuu ya Shirikisho huko Lagos Inatoa Onyo la Udharau kwa FCCPC katika Kesi ya Udhibiti wa Huduma za Mikopo ya Airtime
Mahakama Kuu ya Shirikisho huko Lagos, eneo la taratibu za udharau. (Haki ya: Chidan DoingZ ✝️ kupitia Pexels)
Mgogoro wa kisheria kuhusu udhibiti wa huduma za mikopo ya airtime uliongezeka siku ya Jumatano baada ya Mahakama Kuu ya Shirikisho huko Lagos kutoa onyo la udharau dhidi ya uongozi wa Tume ya Ushindani na Ulinzi wa Watumiaji wa Shirikisho (FCCPC), huku ikipanga Mei 15, 2026, kwa kusikilizwa kwa kesi kuu.
Taratibu za Udharau Zimeanza
Notisi ya udharau ya Fomu 45 iliyowasilishwa kwa FCCPC. (Haki ya: KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA kupitia Pexels)
Katika notisi ya Fomu 45, iliyoitwa rasmi Notisi ya Matokeo ya Kutii Amri ya Mahakama, mahakama ilionya Naibu Mwenyekiti Mtendaji wa FCCPC, Bw. Tunji Bello, kuhusu uwezekano wa kifungo ikiwa tume itashindwa kutii amri yake ya awali iliyotolewa Aprili 15, 2026.
Notisi hiyo, iliyowasilishwa katika Kesi Na: FHC/L/CS/760/2026 kati ya Chama cha Watoa Huduma za Programu za Simu za Wireless cha Nigeria (WASPAN) na FCCPC, inaashiria kuanza kwa taratibu za udharau (recommittal) kuhusu uvunjaji unaodaiwa wa maagizo ya mahakama.
“Pata notisi kwamba isipokuwa utatii maagizo yaliyomo katika amri ya Mahakama Hii ya Heshima… utakuwa na hatia ya udharau wa mahakama na uwe na hatari ya kufungwa gerezani,” ilisema notisi hiyo.
Amri ya Dharura Bado Inatumika
Amri ya dharura ilithibitishwa na Jaji A. Lewis-Allagoa. (Haki ya: Tom Fisk kupitia Pexels)
Amri ya Aprili 15 ilikuwa imezuia FCCPC kutekeleza vifungu vya Sheria za Udhibiti wa Mikopo ya Kidijitali, Elektroniki, Mtandaoni au Sio za Kimila (Sheria za DEON) 2025 dhidi ya wanachama wa WASPAN, hadi kesi itaamuliwa.
Jaji A. Lewis-Allagoa alithibitisha kuwa amri ya dharura bado ni halali na inatumika, na akaamuru kwamba kesi kuu na pingamizi la awali la FCCPC lisikilizwe pamoja Mei 15, 2026.
Mahakama Inahifadhi Hali Iliyopo
Katika kusikilizwa kwa awali, mahakama ilikataa ombi la FCCPC la kubatilisha amri ya kuzuia, na badala yake ikachagua kuhifadhi hali iliyopo ili kulinda haki za watoa huduma za mikopo ya airtime, mikopo ya data, na huduma nyingine za thamani za simu.
WASPAN Inapinga Mamlaka ya FCCPC
WASPAN inapozungumzia mamlaka ya FCCPC ya kudhibiti huduma za mikopo zinazotegemea simu za mawasiliano, ikisema kuwa vifungu muhimu vya Sheria za DEON vinazidi mamlaka ya sheria ya tume na kuingilia mamlaka ya udhibiti wa Tume ya Mawasiliano ya Nigeria (NCC). Hii inaungana na wasiwasi katika sekta ya mawasiliano, kama ilivyoonekana katika uchunguzi wa Seneti wa makampuni makubwa ya simu kama MTN hivi karibuni.
Machanjo kwa Huduma za Mikopo ya Kidijitali
Huduma za mikopo ya airtime muhimu kwa mamilioni ya watumiaji wa simu. (Haki ya: DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ kupitia Pexels)
Kesi hii inatarajiwa kuwa na athari kubwa kwa udhibiti wa huduma za mikopo ya kidijitali, kama zile zinazohusisha mifumo ya mikopo, na kwa mamilioni ya waliojiandikisha simu wanaotegemea mikopo ya airtime kote Nigeria.
The court issued a Form 45 notice warning FCCPC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Tunji Bello, of possible imprisonment for failing to comply with the April 15, 2026 order.
The April 15 order restrains the FCCPC from enforcing DEON Regulations 2025 against WASPAN members pending the suit's determination.
The substantive suit and FCCPC’s preliminary objection are fixed for hearing on May 15, 2026.
WASPAN contests FCCPC’s authority to regulate telecom-based lending services, claiming it exceeds statutory mandate and encroaches on NCC’s jurisdiction.
The court declined FCCPC’s application to set aside the restraining order to preserve the status quo and protect providers' rights.
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Timu ya Uhariri • Swali la Leo
"Should FCCPC regulate airtime lending or leave it to NCC?"
